Maintaining the correct light cycles is very beneficial for a PacMan frog. Learn what light cycles are, and how to properly set-up light cycles for a PacMan frog.
We live our days with the rising and setting of the sun. Most of us get up in the morning, go to school or work, then go to bed after the sun sets in the evening.
It is really no different for a PacMan frog. PacMan frogs are stimulated by the rising and setting of the sun – periods of light and periods of darkness – called light cycles.
Natural Light Cycles for a PacMan Frog
Light cycles need to be maintained in the PacMan frog terrarium. Cycling the terrarium from periods of light to periods of night (and vice versa) helps to promote a vigorous appetite and healthy behaviors.
PacMan frogs originate from the jungle regions of South America, so they enjoy around 12 hours of daylight with 12 hours of night. This 12 hours on, 12 hours off light cycle closely replicates their natural environment.
How To Set Up Light Cycles
The ideal lighting system replicates the PacMan frog’s natural environment as much as possible. Some type of light bulb is needed to simulate daytime hours with the same being for nighttime. A night bulb isn’t necessary unless nighttime viewing is desired.
We recommend a nighttime bulb for PacMan frogs since they are mostly nocturnal. Viewing the activity of the PacMan frog at night is very entertaining.
The Zoo Med Nano Combo Dome Fixture is an excellent fixture for housing both daytime and nighttime bulbs. It’s small size is perfect for 10-gallon terrariums. The fixture features a power cord and switch for each individual bulb. One bulb can be turned on while the other bulb is turned off. Specialized daytime and nighttime bulbs are required for the Nano Dome Fixture.
Another option is the Exo Terra Day & Night LED Fixture for lighting a PacMan frog terrarium. This device features a cluster of LED bulbs for daytime lighting and another cluster for nighttime lighting. The Exo Terra Day & Night LED fixture has a handy touch switch for transitioning from daytime, nighttime, and off positions.
If using the Exo Terra Small Wide terrarium (it measures 18″x18″x18″), the Exo Terra Compact Small Fluorescent Fixture can be used to house both daytime and nighttime bulbs.
How To Automate The Light Cycles
The simplest method for maintaining proper light cycles is to use a special timer. Connect the lighting system to the timer and set it to 12 hours on for the daytime bulb then 12 hours off. Set the nighttime bulb to power on when the daytime light turns off. Twelve hours later, the nighttime light powers off, and the daytime light turns on for its 12 hour cycle.
A timer is an excellent way to automate the light cycles. The timer is set up then does all the work. Timers eliminate the need to remember to turn lights on and off, and keeps the light cycles consistent each day. This is very helpful in maintaining a good routine for the pacman frog.
We highly recommend the Zilla Reptile Habitat Power Center for automating light cycles. This is a power strip that features four outlets that are timed and four outlets that are always on. There is also a digital screen for setting up the timed schedules.
